Cole Loeb
Blanchard
Summary
Dynamic manufacturing leader with extensive experience in Lean processes and cross-functional collaboration. Proven ability to drive performance through effective team management, policy development, and supplier coordination, ensuring consistent delivery of quality results in complex environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Manufacturing Manager / Program Manager
Wilder Systems
Oklahoma City
04.2025 - Current
- Own cost, schedule, and technical baselines for a $30M government program; manage milestones, risks, and dependencies while maintaining stakeholder alignment and reporting.
- Lead integrated robotics programs spanning design, inventory, build, acceptance testing, and process improvement, aligning plans, goals, and technical strategies to contract and business objectives.
- Establish and deploy production, inventory, safety, and quality policies and procedures; translate into standard work and visual management to drive consistency and audit readiness.
- Provide oversight and approval of technical approaches and test plans; guide engineering teams through complex automation implementations and verification.
- Acquire and allocate resources across projects; coordinate with suppliers and partners to ensure material availability, quality, and schedule adherence.
- Managed and motivated employees through mentoring, 1:1s, performance reviews, and career development plans, identifying training needs and facilitating upskilling.
- Cultivated customer and stakeholder relationships to support business operations and development, ensuring consistent delivery performance.
- Led functional responsibilities (quality, safety, facilities, production, project management) to fulfill commitments on quality, efficiency, and affordability.
Manufacturing Manager
IDEX Energy
Oklahoma City
01.2023 - 04.2025
- Directed assembly operations for Liquid Controls product lines; collaborated with quality and engineering to achieve monthly revenue targets of $3.5M–$4.5M.
- Implemented WIP and inventory control with supply chain to enhance schedule adherence and optimize throughput.
- Recruited, trained, developed team members; evaluated performance and established development plans to enhance capability and flexibility.
- Reduced past-due backlog from >$6M to <$200K, sustaining recovery through daily tiered management and problem-solving cadence.
Production Manager
Carvana
Oklahoma City
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Launched new reconditioning center; established standard work, KPI dashboards, daily management routines to accelerate ramp-up and stabilize operations.
- Led end-to-end vehicle reconditioning in a Lean environment, balancing WIP and takt to hit production, quality, and cost targets.
- Facilitated cross-functional teams and root-cause problem solving to enhance flow, first-pass yield, and on-time delivery.
- Hired, coached, and developed associates while ensuring adherence to safe work practices and compliance.
First-Line Manufacturing Manager (K Level)
Boeing
Portland
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Advanced from MPRF and Assembler to First-Line Manufacturing Manager; led machining and assembly operations across three shifts with focus on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Led Lean problem-solving projects that minimized defects and improved schedule performance while fostering strong relationships with stakeholders and team members.
- Executed project and process plans; implemented policies and standardized work to enhance productivity and minimize defects.
- Managed performance of direct reports, conducted 1:1 coaching, established goals, and facilitated training to ensure technical proficiency and readiness.
- Partnered closely with supply chain, quality, and engineering; coordinated with suppliers to resolve technical issues and improve part availability.
Munitions Systems (Active Duty & Reserves)
United States Air Force
Nellis & McChord AFB
03.2010 - 08.2018
- Led Airmen in maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, transport, assembly, and warehousing of munitions, achieving a perfect safety record.
- Managed inventory of high-value assets, executing audits and controls to ensure accuracy and accountability.
- Recognitions: Maintenance Professional of the Quarter and Year; earned SrA (E-4) six months early and SSgt (E-5) on first attempt.
Education
B.B.A. - Business Administration & Ethics
Mid-America Christian University
Oklahoma City, OK10-2026
Airman Leadership School -
Gunter AFB
Gunter AFB, AL01-2015
Munitions Systems Tech School -
Sheppard AFB
Sheppard AFB, TX08-2010
High School Diploma -
Clackamas High School
Clackamas, OR01-2009
Skills
- Lean Manufacturing
- 5S
- Standard Work
- Production Control
- Inventory Control
- WIP Management
- Quality
- Safety
- KPIs
- Policy & Procedure Development
- Supplier Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Performance Management
- Planning & Execution
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Coaching
- Training Roadmaps
- Leadership
- Compliance
Tools And Methods
- Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint
- Lean: Boeing Production System (BPS) A3, 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Root Cause/Corrective Action
- Production & Inventory Control, KPI dashboards, Tiered Daily Management
- Safety and Quality Systems; Acceptance Testing and Verification
Selected Achievements
- Program Management: Drove milestone execution and risk management on a $30M government robotics program; aligned technical reviews, schedules, and resources to deliver on contract objectives.
- Operations Recovery: Cut past-due backlog from >$6M to <$200K in 3 months via WIP controls, supplier coordination, and daily problem solving.
- Site Launch: Successfully launched a new production/reconditioning site, establishing policies, KPIs, and standard work to achieve target throughput and quality.
- People Development: Built training matrices and coaching rhythms (1:1s, goal setting, performance reviews) to raise capability, engagement, and technical proficiency.
Coursework
- Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving
- Effective Team Building
- Investment in Excellence
- Six Advanced Munitions Systems Maintenance courses
- Engineering Drawing
- Foundations of Leadership
Affiliations
- Volunteer, youth sports coach
Timeline
Manufacturing Manager / Program Manager
Wilder Systems
04.2025 - Current
Manufacturing Manager
IDEX Energy
01.2023 - 04.2025
Production Manager
Carvana
01.2022 - 01.2023
First-Line Manufacturing Manager (K Level)
Boeing
01.2015 - 01.2022
Munitions Systems (Active Duty & Reserves)
United States Air Force
03.2010 - 08.2018
B.B.A. - Business Administration & Ethics
Mid-America Christian University
Airman Leadership School -
Gunter AFB
Munitions Systems Tech School -
Sheppard AFB
High School Diploma -
Clackamas High School